British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that the UK would not tolerate intimidation, threats, or hostile activity linked to Iran on British soil, Sky News reported Thursday.
Miliband and Araghchi met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to the British Foreign Office.
The two officials discussed regional developments, including the war in the Middle East, as well as efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Miliband urged Iran to pursue “de-escalation and diplomacy instead of prolonging the war,” according to a statement from the British government.
The British foreign secretary also stressed the importance of fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz, warning that continued disruption to the key shipping route could affect global security and economic stability.
UK raises concerns over Iran-linked groups, cyber operations
During the meeting, Miliband reiterated Britain’s commitment to confronting threats from Iran-linked groups operating in the UK, including those targeting the British Jewish community.
“The Foreign Secretary made clear that Britain will not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on UK soil and set out the measures the government has taken in response,” the statement said.
The warning came after Britain’s National Cyber Security Center said Iranian state-linked cyber actors had used a spyware tool known as “CHOSEN BRICK” to steal emails, messages, and other sensitive information through spear-phishing campaigns on platforms including WhatsApp and Telegram.
